Having worked in office environments for many years, I know that the design of the setting can go a long way towards enhancing the experience of the employees. For example, hip and fresh designs and colors indicate new ideas and growth. Conversely, drab colors may indicate a more mature company that is on "auto-pilot". I myself have worked in both environments. I came across an interesting company, Arcadia Contract, which has a "very cool" line. In these pictures you see great colors, shapes, and designs that are sure to brighten up any office setting. I found their line of modular office furniture to be inspiring for companies looking for fresh and new ideas. You can find a link to their site here.
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You can tell the Four Design collection was designed by architects especially when you see their stacking chairs and how elegantly they fit together. In today's commercial office environment confidence is often a result of the visual appeal of the surroundings and the first impression that is made. Architects Christina Strand and Niels Hvass run Four Design of Denmark that focuses on crisp clean designs comprised of minimal elements, and "to the point" functional office tables, chairs, desks, and storage units. The Four Design series of Moventi and Four Cant products mesh well in a variety of eye pleasing finishes and metal accents that create a harmonious office environment.
Here is a compact and great looking modern writing desk and media center that is up to the usual Hermann Miller standards, and it's gorgeous down to the tiniest details. The Airia desk features a retro styling and perfect wood pieces with rubber feet to keep your cables hidden and cork lined trays that are a nice finishing touch. Despite a compact size the Airia manages to hide clutter in its wide center drawer that slips into a generous white laminate top surrounded by a solid walnut frame. The matching companion media cabinet is comprised of the same materials with a sculpted walnut top that offers additional workspace and storage down below.
In the spirit of the famous "Bubble Chair" designer Michiel van der Kley gives the similar appearance to the Globus Artifort pod like computer workstation. Closed the Globus gives the onlooker a sense of intrigue as to what awaits inside, and open the very useful multifunctional all-in-one work space complete with a height-adjustable work top and a comfortable swivel chair is revealed. The Globus has a cast aluminum base on wheels supporting a molded plastic globe with two sections, upon opening the wheels are blocked to stabilize the mobility. Via
You might think of a "Surf Chair" as a comfortable lounge chair perfect for watching the tide roll in on a beautiful beach as the sun goes down. Or for the more tech minded, the surf chair is the place to comfortably sit and carouse the internet in style. Designer Kenneth Lylover managed to take the "Best Product" award in the Internet Collection of the Scandinavian Furniture Fair with his rendition of the modern computer workstation. While Lylover did get the monitor placement just right, the critics found fault with the need to support the keyboard and mouse on your lap. Maybe a computer user / aspiring furniture designer can send in some advise on the finishing touches! Via
So many of us now have virtual office space in our homes, lofts, or apartments where we perform our jobs. One challenge that occurs when the traditional work setting is combined into a virtual home office setting is the amount of books, papers, supplies, and tools of the trade that come into the house. It is important to have a healthy balance between the house and work setting. Often times people struggle with creating the proper space that can accommodate all the needed items for their virtual home office. Bookshelves seem to be increasingly harder to find as the world moves into more of an information age where more documents are stored electronically. The modular bookshelf from Kartell offers an innovative solution for improved organization in the home office. You will see from the picture that there are many cubes that make up the bookshelf. Each cube is a stand alone piece constructed of heavy plastic that has locking mechanisms allowing for it to be easily put together. The modular aspect is that you can create whatever design you might desire. This is a great benefit since each virtual office space is different based on the size and limitations of the room. The modular components can also be placed on castor wheels should mobility be required. More information at: Kartell.
A small space secretary desk can be the right solution for many rooms. I enjoy having a desk to write out bills, work on a computer, and draft letters. However, finding an ideal space in the home can be a challenge with a desk. Further, a desk often does not blend in well with the remainder of the surroundings. For those people will lofts, flats, or small apartments, it's a double whammy. I have never been a big fan of having a desk in the main room of these living spaces. It usually does not flow well. At least today laptops have taken care of issues such as large computer towers and cables while trying to maintain an attractive overall room appearance. The secretary desk featured here is a small model measuring 40"w x 20"d x 59"h. With being only 20 inches deep and its ability to fit along a wall, the desk can fit in many room settings. I like the fold up shelf which can cover up stacks of paper and other items that you may not want visible at all times. The secretary desk is made of wood stained in a combination of chocolate and white. Available at: West Elm. Price: $799.
Chip side chairs by Knoll offers a stylish solution for modern office settings seeking stacking chairs for break rooms, lunch room, and training rooms. These chairs can also be used in home settings as dining chairs or as extra seating for guests. The Chip side chair is constructed of pressed plywood sheets on a steel frame. Drawing upon mid century inspiration from masters such as Eames and Cherner, the Chip features defined lines and a minimalist look. The Chip can be customized by picking out different shell colors, a seat cushion, and different fabric colors. Created by Finnish Designer, Antti Kotilainen, and available at Allmodern for $329.
Going to IKEA is like visiting a foreign land full of furniture and Swedish meatballs. On my first adventure there I was in need of a desk and didn't exactly have a huge budget. Clearly IKEA was the right place to go for home office furniture, because within minutes of entering their workspace section I found the MIKAEL desk and bought it almost instantly.
For $149 I was the proud owner of a corner desk with adjustable shelves in the center and more dividers than I could possibly use. I purchased the birch effect/white version, but they do have a black-brown/white as well. It wasn't too difficult to construct, as the dimensions were a compact 47 1/4"w x 47 1/4"d x 65 3/8"h.
Keep in mind that with IKEA, you're getting particleboard and fiberboard products coated with acrylic paint so it's not exactly solid mahogany, but a great value nonetheless. It doesn't look like you can pick this specific desk up online, so you'll have to make a store visit, but believe me, the meatballs alone are worth the drive.
In his short but illustrious career designer John Slater has received New Designer of the Year at the New Designers exhibition in London in 2006, and this year a selection as a "Top Ten" in Milan. Slater manages to incorporate simple elegance and practicality in his designs, and of course the all important aesthetics. The Frank Desk is very creative and features a flip up light that exposes a small colorful drawer and hollowed out section perfect for any thing that will fit. John has earned a job in Shin Azumis studio and works on furniture and exhibition designs that I can't wait to see.
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